Rooms
Housed in a refurbished school building in the New Bahru enclave, Alma House apartments offer a blend of heritage and contemporary design. There are six room types, from the 18m2 Deluxe Room to the Alma Family Suite. All are located on the second and third storeys.
I spent a night in a one-bedroom suite, which had a living room with a 42-inch TV, dining area, and bathroom with a rainshower. The hand and body wash, and shampoo are by local brand Omno; the products smelt refreshing. I like that the brand bills itself as being specifically developed for the Asian climate.
There were two air conditioning units, one in the living and dining space, and the other in the bedroom. They could be operated individually, which made their use a tad more sustainable.
My unit came with a fully-equipped kitchenette as well as a washer/dryer. I like that guests had to request for a sponge at the front desk; this prevents wastage, as long-term guests tend to bring their own.
A sponge has to be requested from the front desk if need be. This is because the sponge is changed with every guest to prevent wastage and food allergies by not providing it as a default as long-term guests tend to bring their own.
I found my suite clean, spacious and functional, so much so I could see myself spending a week or two here. I like that Alma House is close to so many great restaurants within walking distance.
The Wi-Fi was consistently reliable, and performed admirably throughout my stay. I was not a fan of my very firm bed however.
MICE and other facilities
While Alma House has no event facilities, the naturally-lit lobby on the third floor doubles up as a co-working space for guests. Decked out in gorgeous furniture from homegrown furniture brand Castlery, it can also be used as an event space. There are also two meeting rooms within Alma House.
The property is designed for expatriates on short-stay visas and corporate travellers in town for long assignments. Bookings require a minimum six-night stay.
Long-staying guests can easily benefit from the community-orientated atmosphere at New Bahru, which Alma House is part of. Alma House has partnerships with Hideaway, a wellness concept focused on healing and recovery; and SuRge, a personal training gym. Both are located on the fifth floor. There are also partnerships with various restaurants and shops. For example, guests can get a complimentary upgrade to truffle fries with the purchase of a burger combo from One Fattened Calf; special access reservations and in-room dining service from The Coconut Club; and purchase a breakfast set bundle from PPP Coffee.
Partnerships extend beyond New Bahru, and these are updated over time. At the point of writing, Alma House guests were offered 15 per cent off performance tickets with Singapore Theatre Company.
Service
Housekeeping comes twice a week. Staff are reachable at the all-day access lobby lounge if they require assistance/drinks, in addition to a 24/7 WhatsApp guest experience contact.
Verdict
You would be hard-pressed to find a more competitive room rate in the upmarket River Valley district. Rates start at S$152++ (US$117++) per night, making Alma House a good consideration for longer stays in Singapore.
Number of rooms 83
Contact details almahouse.sg
Prior to joining Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas, he was the pre-opening general manager for Mercure Bangkok Surawong.
The first Conrad Hotels & Resorts property has opened in Chongqing, China, backed by owners Chongqing Jafa Group. It stands within the Jiafa Cross-Border Trade Center and is surrounded by natural attractions steeped in culture and history.
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A team of event experts are on hand to assist corporate clients.
The hotel is also located close to the International Convention and Exhibition Center, and the Jiefangbei commercial district.